Mr. Henry Schneider

ADVICE FOR ORCHARDISTS by Henry Schneider, FruitCheque officer, DPI CobramCountry News - McPherson Media Group
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ADVICE FOR ORCHARDISTS by Henry Schneider, FruitCheque officer, DPI Cobram

DPI senior horticultural adviser Henry Schneider checking orchard soil moisture levels.
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DPI senior horticultural adviser Henry Schneider said dry conditions in all fruit growing districts so far this winter were increasing the risk of damaging frosts this season.

He said opening flowers and young fruitlets were most at risk of being adversely affected by frost.

"It's still early, but the season is driving ahead . . . particularly in Cobram where peaches and nectarines are already flowering and apricots are at an advanced pink bud stage," Mr Schneider said.

"As they get closer to opening they get more susceptible to frost."

Mr Schneider advised orchardists with frost fans or sprinkler systems to ensure these are ready for action and that frost warning devices have been located and tested.

He said using water to stave off the effects of frost works in two ways.
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Mr Schneider said soil would absorb water more effectively if grass was cut back short, or there was none at all, near the roots of the fruit trees and advised those orchardists who had trees that were almost flowering, to start irrigating the ground.

He said frost warning devices were critical, especially for micro-jet systems with pipes on top of the soil.

Pipes must have water flowing through them before they freeze up.

Mr Schneider also said if there was not enough rain to wet the topsoil, irrigation systems should be started to ensure moist soil which absorbed more heat during the day.

He said all orchards might need the soil profile wetted to 30 cm to 45 cm (depending on soil type), to allow root growth from the point of bud swell onwards.

- Henry Schneider

FruitCheque officer

For further information on the topic or advice on how to set up and maintain soil moisture monitoring equipment phone Henry Schneider (DPI Cobram) on 5871 0600 or Harold Adem (DPI Tatura) on 5833 5222.
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- Henry Schneider

FruitCheque officer

DPI Cobram FruitCheque officer Henry Schneider is discussing management options for orchardists at these meetings and G-MW representatives are providing information on the water allocations.

Mr Schneider said an important overall strategy for setting a crop this season was to make sure the fruit trees were not stressed during flowering, fruit set and during the early phase of fruitlet growth.